Improvement in cartridges



W. TRABUE. Cartridge.

No.'21o-,374- Patented Nov. 26,1878! UNrrn 'raras VILLIAM IRABUE, OF LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY.

IMPROVEMENT IN CARTRIDGES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent N0. 210,371, dated November 26, 1878 application filed September 7, 1878.

To all 107mm it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM TRABUE, of Louisville, in the county of Jefferson and State of Kentucky, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fixed Ammunition; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making' a part of this specification.

My invention relates to certain novel iniprovements in xed ammunition for magazineguns.

It has for its object to adapt said ammunition to be drawn toward the receiver, within which it is to be exploded, in contradistinction to being forced from behind, as is now customary.

With these ends and objects in view, my invention consists of a series of loaded shells, secured to one another, a iixed distance apart, by means of connecting-cords or their equivalents, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

My invention further consists in forming the shells with exterior annular grooves, and providing the same with a fibrous packing, designed to expand to cleanse the receiver as the shells are ejected therefrom, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

To enable those skilled to understand and make my improved ammunition, I will proceed to describe the same more in detail, referring by letters to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a side view of a series of loader shells, joined to one another by a single connecting-cord. Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal section of a series of shells joined to one another by two cords. Fig. 3 is a side view of a modification of my invention, and Fig. 4 is' a central longitudinal section of another modication.

The shells or cases shown, as well as the method of loading and connecting the same, are designed for use in an improved magazine-gun invented by me, and for which I am about to make application for Letters Patent.

In the accompanying drawings similar letters indicate like parts in the several figures.

A A, &c., are metallic 4shells or cases, the heads of which are suitably strengthened and recessed to receive the fulminate or cap B. C

is the contained powder, and D the ball, which latter is so located that its conical end shall lie within the same plane as the forward end of the shell when they are to be used in my improved gun, hereinbefore referred to, although the balls may be located within the shells as ordinarily when designed for other guns.

E is a string or cord, of linen or other suitable non-elastic material, passing through the fulminate recess and opening and between the ball and case; from one shell to another, as clearly seen at Fig. l; or two cords, E, may be used, as seen at Fig. 2, the latter being preferable, as tending to hold the several shells in more perfect axial relation one to another.

The head of the cap, as well as the side of the ball, is slightly grooved or creased to accommodate partially the cord or cords E, which, as before stated, are tightly bound between said ball and the case, retaining the several shells in a fixed and predetermined relation to one another. The balls are confined within the mouth of the shell by contracting the said mouth, as clearly seen in the drawings.

At Figs. 3 and 4 I have shown modifications of my invention. rlhe former represents the forward and rear end of two adjacent shells connected by a short tube, F, of lexible material, and the latter shows the several shells connected by a continuous tubular envelope or wrapper, F. The wrappers F and F are `contracted centrally between each two shells by a string or cord, G, which serves to assist in holding the saine in place, in addition to a suitable gum or paste, which may be used ou the inside of the wrappers.

Near to one or both ends of each case or shell is formed an annular groove, H, into which is placed a strin g or other flbrous packing, which is designed to expand when the shell is exploded, and serves to wipe or cleanse the receiver when the shell is being ejected therefrom.

The distance between the loaded shells is predetermined and varied according to the mechanical movement necessary to bring each successive shell into position to be charged into the receiver, it being subsequently cut off from the succeeding shell.

My improved ammunition, as before stated,

is designed for use especially in a gun invented by me, and for which I ain about to apply for Letters Patent, and in which the shells are drawn or pulled into position for charging, in contradistinction to being forced up by a spring or otherwise; but I am aware that my improved ammunition may become useful in other guns designed for its use, and I do not, therefore, wish to limit myself to the precise details of construction, which may be varied considerably Without departing from the spirit of my invention.

It will be observed that the shell is a perfect straight cylinder, and is capable of passing entirely through any bore that will chamber it, so that the annular fibrous packing will serve as a patch to cleanse the bore in which it is exploded.

I am aware that paper cartridges have been attached one to another by an elastic connection, and I do not, therefore, wish my invention ln testimony whereof` I have hereunto set.

my hand and afxed my seal.

WILLIAM TRABUE.

In presence of- J Aivrns TRABUE, JOHN J. BARRET. 

